Attractions

Zanzibar Holidays

Many people come to Tanzania for their dream safari experience, but this idyllic archipelago offers an equally valuable opportunity for you to take a few days to unwind in Tanzania’s very own slice of paradise.

Whether you’re looking to travel back in time visiting Stone Town, learn about the island’s rich cultural history as an important trade and spice centre, participate in some water sports, or simply relax beneath palm trees with a drink in your hand – Zanzibar offers it all. A holiday to Zanzibar offers up something for all tastes.

Zanzibar Activities

Zanzibar offers you the ultimate beach and leisure experience. For those who love the sun, sand, and surf – Zanzibar is a perfect escape.

The island of Unguja is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. There are countless resort options for those wanting a bit of pampering, but an isolated stretch of beach is never too far away for those wanting some peace and quiet. Snorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking, deep sea fishing, windsurfing, and other water sports are on offer all over the island. If you fancy a bit of traditional adventure, you can even take a ride on a traditional dhow and see the island as locals have for centuries.

Zanzibar Tours

While people come to Zanzibar for some much needed rest and relaxation, that doesn’t mean there isn’t history begging to be uncovered or stunning sights worth seeing. Shadows of Africa can help you soak in Zanzibar’s unique cultural and historic identity when you’re not relaxing on the beach.

Zanzibar beach

Zanzibar is truly one of Africa’s premier beach and leisure playgrounds.

With beautiful, white sandy beaches and crystal clear water perfect for swimming and scuba diving, people from all over the world travel to this tiny island paradise to escape from it all. In addition to relaxation and water sports, Zanzibar is also a unique part of Tanzania with a rich and fascinating culture as a spice island and former slave port. Walking through the alleys and markets of Stone Town is akin to time travel.

Stone Town

Where else in the world can you walk down a street passing Portuguese, British, Arabic, African, and Indian architecture while all the while seeing, hearing, and smelling the sights, sounds, and smells of the bustling bazaars and restaurants?

Where else it is possible to walk from a 15th century Portuguese fort to an 18th century Omani palace to a 21st century harbourside restaurant?

It’s this and so much more than make Stone Town a must-see on any visit to Zanzibar.

Mafia & Pemba Islands

Pemba boasts some stunning beaches. It is also recognized as one of East Africa’s premier locations for both scuba diving and game fishing, making it a popular place for those who are drawn to the ocean beyond the breakers.

If Pemba is a well-kept secret, Mafia is almost completely unknown – making it the ideal place for an escape where you truly get away from it all. A string of small islands boasting diverse landscapes that stretch from tidal mangroves to subtropical rainforest, almost half of the Mafia chain’s coast is a marine park.

Honeymoon in Zanzibar

Romance and Zanzibar go hand in hand. The island’s spectacular natural beauty makes it a perfect place for you to spend the first days of a new life together.

Resorts range from the lavish to the bare essentials, giving you plenty of freedom to design your own dream honeymoon. And what says “I love you” better than some relaxation before you jet across to the mainland to go on safari?

Zanzibar Culture

Zanzibar has a unique culture to that of the mainland. It’s history as part of the Sultanate of Oman and later as a part of the British Commonwealth means it is distinct from anything you’ve experienced elsewhere in Tanzania. Swahili, the language spoken in many parts of East Africa, is actually from Zanzibar originally. The language is a fusion of Arabic and the local tongue.

A trip to Zanzibar would not be complete without interacting with the local people and sampling the local flavours. With immigrants from all over the world, you’re in for a culinary and cultural adventure!